Offices Jumbo and Wärtsilä

Schiedam, Netherlands

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Offices Jumbo and Wärtsilä

Schiedam, Netherlands

Firm

MVSA Architects

Type

Commercial › Office

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2013

SIZE

100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft

BUDGET

Undisclosed

Photos

Ronald Tilleman Photography (12)

Water works
Dutch maritime shipping company Jumbo and Finnish marine engineering firm Wärtsilä were looking to relocate to new head offices. They found a perfect site on the main waterway in Rotterdam, Europe’s main logistics node, a stone’s throw from the city center.

On their behalf, MVSA designed two separate buildings with a shared design vocabulary, which reach almost to the water’s edge. The joint entrance plaza leads to the waterside parking lot below. The façades on the north side are compact and characterized by alternating strips of balustrades and glass. The vertically ribbed plates form a varied pattern and generate a sense of depth, while their white color amplifies their ship-like character.

We added two broad stairways and an access ramp on the west side to connect to the spacious deck, which acts as an outdoor terrace. In the south, the buildings open onto the water via large elegant outdoor terraces situated on a split level thanks to variations in floor height. Large roof awnings that protrude from the building to provide shade round off the volumes.

The interior design
MVSA’s new head office for the maritime shipping company Jumbo is a fine achievement realized in close cooperation with the client. Its primary characteristic is a feeling of space: the central atrium — accessible directly from the entrance via a broad stairway — creates an open and pleasant working environment that allows enhanced interaction between the company’s various departments. The upshot is a marked enhancement in efficiency, atmosphere, business operations, and the exchange of ideas.

The interior perfectly fits the building — also designed by us — in terms of materials and colors. Bamboo is used both inside and out, for instance, while the white strips on the façades extend into the indoor area, creating a light and airy interior. The offices are located on the four stories around the atrium. The open floors are very flexible in terms of layout and reflect contemporary working patterns.

We also ensured that sustainability would be an integral element of the building’s design by using environmentally friendly, durable materials. In addition, a courtyard garden purifies the air and enhances the ambience in the building.